"We have a new clutch paddle on my side, just a different shape to help me be more consistent with the drops, and the team has been working hard on the software side as well," said Antonelli.
The Italian rookie highlighted the step forward made by direct competitors as a primary reason for the team to push development boundaries.
"McLaren have the same PU as us, and they're starting very well, so there's definitely something we are missing," he said.
Antonelli expressed confidence in the car but remained cautious about the long-term title fight, noting that the baseline performance must be raised to counter upgrades from rivals.
"We saw in Miami that McLaren did a step in performance, Red Bull did a massive step, and Ferrari was a bit of an outlier.
I think in Canada, they will be back in good form," he said.
McLaren's Development Roadmap and Driver Confidence
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella confirmed that their latest upgrades are part of a continuous developmental roadmap spanning multiple upcoming European venues.
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"Our development pathway has lots in the pipeline, with parts planned for Canada and a few more in Monaco and Spain," said Stella.
Stella expects the multi-stage updates to solidify McLaren's position in the championship fight, setting the stage for an interesting battle.
McLaren driver Oscar Piastri noted that Montreal has historically been a difficult venue for the team, making a strong performance here highly indicative of true car pace.
